A ROAD smash which left a young brother and sister dead was the result of a 'dreadful coincidence', a coroner ruled.

Great Budworth Primary School pupils Alexander and Niamh Brooker, aged eight and five, died three weeks before Christmas when their mother's car hit an oncoming vehicle.

Alison Brooker, of High Legh, who survived the accident, had been taking the youngsters to their school along Cann Lane, in Aston-by-Budworth.

The court heard the 38-year-old saw a Volkswagen Passat heading towards her as it overtook another vehicle.

Thinking the Passat, being driven by 45-year-old Richard Beal, from Northwich, would hit her Fiat Punto, she braked. But her car skidded on ice and swerved into oncoming traffic, smashing into Mr Beal's vehicle.

Accident investigator PC Steve Binns believes Mr Beal's car would have safely passed the family if they had not hit the ice.

He said: 'If Mrs Brooker had remained in her lane the other cars would have passed her without incident.'

Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said: 'Mrs Brooker was confronted by what appeared to her to be a difficult and dangerous situation.

'At almost exactly that moment she came to an icy patch and she lost control of the Punto.

'We can only imagine the desperate struggle Mrs Brooker went through as she tried to regain control of her vehicle.'

Mrs Jackson told the Chronicle: 'It is down to the family as to whether they want to bring a civil action for damages in response to the traffic accident.

'The fact that there wasn't a police prosecution doesn't prevent a civil action and I have given them certain advice.' Campaigners say there is no need for a landfill in Mid Cheshire, and point out there has been no call by residents to have the lagoons capped.

There are also worries that traffic, estimated at 217 lorry movements through Middlewich per day, and associated health issues will be detrimental to the town. In the case of both youngsters, Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mrs Brooker said after the verdict: 'While we are relieved that the formal process is now at an end, the tragic and unnecessary loss of our two precious children has had a devastating effect on our lives.'

The couple said they were disappointed no charges were going to be brought against Mr Beal, and Carol Jackson, from Manchester law firm Pannone and Partners, said the pair had not ruled out taking action.

Cheshire police confirmed they will not be charging anyone in connection with the accident.

A spokeswoman said: 'As far as we are concerned, this file is closed. This was a tragic accident and our sympathies go out to all the people involved, in particular to the family over the loss of these two young lives.'